Aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa calyx modulates gentamicin activity in rats

Abstract

Gentamicin have been shown to generate free radicals .This study investigated modulatory potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa calyx with gentamicin in rats. Thirty rats weighing between 150-200g were randomly selected into 6 groups: Group A( control), group B received 200mg/kg body weight of extract, group C received 80mg/ kg body weight of gentamicin intra peritoneally for six days while group D, E and F received 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 600mg/kg body weight of extract for six days before and eight days following administration of 80mg/kg gentamicin. Antioxidants and biochemical indices were determined using standardized methods . Rats treated with extracts at 200mg/kg elicit significant (p<0.05) decreases in total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (C.BIL), urea, creatinine, Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotansferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as significant( p<0.05) increases in Superoxide Dismutate (SOD) activity , levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) ,albumin and total protein (TP). Gentamicin treated rats however showed significant (p<0.05) decreases in GSH, TP, albumin and SOD activities with elevated levels of MDA, TB,C.BIL, urea, creatinine and AST, ALT and ALP activities . Furthermore , animals treated with various concentrations of extract after gentamicin administration showed significant increases (p<0.05) in concentrations of TP, ALB, GSH and SOD activities with corresponding decreases in TB, C.BIL, urea, creatinine and MDA concentrations as well as AST,ALT and ALP activities compared with gentamicin group in a dose dependent manner. Properties exhibited by extract is antioxidative suggestive of its modulatory effects on gentamicin activity .